Nowadays, with all the opportunities customers have while shopping online, they are pretty picky about the conditions every business provides for a comfortable and effortless process of purchasing things. They prefer having access to all the information on the website in their native language.
If you provide such products, services, or solutions, then your company must have the necessary tools to cross these global landscapes and be ready to provide users from all over the world with a unique and tailored local experience. How can this be done? One way is localization.
What is Localization?
Localization means the process of translating and changing products and services to the conditions every specific national market has. Localization is not just the translation of texts. It can also include but is not limited to, adapting images or colors, formatting, user interface or design, and even payment methods.
3 Main Reasons You Should Take Localization Into Account
- Localization helps you easily enter new markets
There are many obstacles you can face when taking your business to the global market. Legal issues, logistical difficulties, and cultural and communication problems can slow down your company’s development. It also provides for a study of the target culture, necessary for the adaptation of the products and services to meet the needs of national markets.
In order to avoid translation errors that lead to awkward situations, look for reliable online language translation services. In addition to translation, the localization process may include adapting the graphics component, currency symbols, date format, addresses and phone numbers, choice of colors for details, etc.
- You can dive into the mind of potential clients
There is no one-size-fits-all way to reach the global market. Regarding your niche or the market you are already operating in, you will need localization to expand your business. On the other hand, you cannot expect the advertising campaign you launched in the UK to achieve the same success in the US or South Africa, for example. Cultures vary greatly from country to country, even if they speak the same language, meaning that the ultimate incentive for localization is not only translating content for people from different countries. Here are 5 reasons why website localization is a must for business. According to them, it allows you to go beyond the simple translation of a website or a slogan but allows you to go deep into the minds of consumers belonging to the new market you are going to target. In addition, this ensures that your brand and identity remain strong even within a new market.
- Influence of global Internet network
Globalization via the Internet has led to the emergence of new social and e-commerce tools, which resulted in the abolition of the rules for companies: the customer controls the relationship with the companies, offering them the opportunity to better understand their tastes and needs.
Every day we all use foreign websites to shop, research and consume information. Here is a quick pick on statistics regarding the willingness of customers to use “non-localized” websites:
- 73% of consumers in Japan and 61% of those in France say they only buy on sites translated into their language;
- 9 out of 10 non-English-speaking buyers prefer to purchase products available in their native language;
- 80% of mobile users prefer locally relevant advertising and 75% take action after seeing a localized message.
The numbers show the importance of the localization of your business.
If you are looking to expand globally, incorporating localization into your business strategy will help you overcome barriers and make your entry into new markets easier. But there is still a lot of work ahead. Understanding the importance of localization is just the first step.
